Blog | Organization
Tips for a Successful Church Staff Retreat
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a one-day local retreat, taking intentional time away with your church staff is a valuable investment you can make in the health, unity, and vision of your ministry team. A staff retreat isn’t just a break from the routine — it’s an opportunity to refocus, refresh, and realign for the season ahead. Here are some practical tips to help you plan ...
Read MoreTips & Tricks for Planning Summer Outdoor Services at Your Church
There’s something special about worshiping outdoors—whether it’s under the morning sun or in the cool of a summer evening. People tend to relax a little more, families come out in larger numbers, and the fresh air brings a sense of openness that can’t be replicated indoors. But hosting an outdoor service also comes with its own unique challenges. From sound systems to song lyrics to ...
Read MorePlanning Big Worship Services Without Losing Who You Are
As worship pastors, we know the big days are coming—Easter, Christmas, Good Friday, maybe even a church anniversary or a special outreach weekend. These are high-impact opportunities where guests are more likely to attend, the room is often fuller, and the expectations (both spoken and unspoken) are high. It’s natural to want to do something special—to raise the bar, get creative, and cre...
Read MoreManaging Multiple Ministries as a Church Admin
If you're a church administrator supporting multiple ministries or pastors, you know the balancing act can feel a bit like spinning plates—on a tightrope—during a windstorm. From youth event logistics and sermon series slides, to email inboxes, benevolence requests, and building schedules, your to-do list might span every department. So how do you stay effective (and sane) while supporting ...
Read MoreChoosing the Right Church Management Software
Church management software (ChMS) has become an essential tool for church administrators striving for efficiency and organization. The right software can streamline operations, enhance communication, and foster better engagement within the congregation. However, with numerous options available, it’s crucial to understand the key considerations before making a decision. Here’s what church admin...
Read MoreFun and Effective Children’s Ministry Volunteer Training
Every children’s pastor wants to see their volunteers feel confident, equipped, and excited about serving in kids’ ministry. A well-planned training seminar can make all the difference by providing practical tools, fostering relationships, and infusing fresh energy into your team. Below are seven tips to help you create a memorable and impactful volunteer training event. ...
Read MoreBuilding a Music Team Sustainably
As a music director in a small church, you may find yourself inspired—and perhaps a bit overwhelmed—by the incredible worship teams showcased by large churches. Their polished sound, expansive resources, and professional production can set a high bar. But here’s the truth: your church’s music team doesn’t need to look or sound like those big churches to make a meaningful impact. ...
Read More7 Creative Ideas for Approaching Church Small Groups
Small groups play a vital role in fostering community, deepening spiritual connections, and providing support within a church family. It’s easy for churches to fall into a rhythm with groups, offering the same recurring studies and breakouts based on age and gender. While there’s nothing wrong with consistency— especially if it’s serving your community!— your church has the creative oppo...
Read More7 Tips for Simplifying Your Holiday Calendar
The holiday season is a special time for the church community, filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and share the joy of the season. However, managing the church's holiday calendar can be overwhelming, with the temptation to pack it full of events and activities. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of simplifying your approach to the holidays and focusing on just a couple of ...
Read MoreHow Pastors Can Embrace Sabbaticals for a Lasting Ministry
In the relentless pursuit of ministering to others, church pastors often find themselves drained emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Sabbaticals serve as an invaluable tool to help ministry leaders refresh their spirits, recenter their vision, and fortify their commitment to their calling. Taking months away from your ministry, however, can be an intimidating proposition. Here, we’ll delve...
Read MoreHow to Follow Up with Families After Vacation Bible School
Summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an exciting and impactful event in the life of a church community. It provides a unique opportunity to share the love of God with children and families, creating lasting memories and building strong relationships. However, the impact of VBS does not end when the final day concludes. Sometimes families are introduced to church and Jesus for the first time throu...
Read MoreHelp Students Transition from Middle School to High School
The transition from middle school to high school is an exciting yet challenging time for students. As a youth pastor, you have a unique opportunity to help make this transition smoother for young individuals who are navigating significant changes in their lives. By providing support, guidance, and a nurturing environment, you can help them thrive during this crucial period of their spiritual and p...
Read MorePlan a Church Picnic That Meets Everyone’s Dietary Needs
With warmer weather and longer days, Summer is the perfect time to take your community events outdoors. Outdoor potlucks and picnics are a fantastic way to gather as a community; there’s food to share, wide open spaces for the kids to run around, and minimal prep and clean up required. Chances are, however, there are people in your congregation with dietary restrictions that sometimes make it ha...
Read MoreTips for Your Summer Movie-Based Sermon Series
Over the past couple of decades, it's become extremely popular for churches to lean into summer blockbuster season by creating whole sermon series in which their pastor uses clips from popular movies to connect people's hearts with scriptural and spiritual truths. For most churches, this is seen as an easy outreach invitation opportunity for church attenders. It also gives a reason for folks to de...
Read MorePractical Tips for Training Your VBS Volunteers
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an exciting time of the year for many children and their families. As a children's pastor, it can feel like a lot of pressure to ensure that VBS runs smoothly and to craft a meaningful experience for everyone involved. One of the key components of a successful VBS is a well-trained group of volunteers. Here are some tips on how to best train your volunteers for VBS: ...
Read More3 Low-Cost and Cost-Free Ways to Make Your Church Coffee Better
Let's face it. The term "church coffee" is basically synonymous with terrible coffee. When you think about church coffee, you probably picture coffee that's too weak, too burnt, and just plain tastes bad. There are exceptions to this. I've been to several churches that have a bit more of a coffee-centric atmosphere in the lobby with a coffee shop, some going as far as making pour overs and espress...
Read More7 ways to Follow up with First-Time Easter Visitors
On Easter Sunday, it’s likely you saw many new faces join you for worship. Did you know that more people in the United States conduct an online search for “church” around Easter than at any other time, even Christmas? Easter is a fantastic opportunity to connect with members of your community that aren’t yet plugged into a church home. You shouldn't have to wait until next year to see thes...
Read More6 Tips for Budgeting for Your Next Youth Group Retreat
Youth retreats are fun and formative experiences for the students in your youth group. They provide exciting opportunities to connect with their peers, grow in their faith, and explore activities that help them stretch their comfort zones. Planning for and pulling them off, however, can feel like an overwhelming assignment. One of the biggest challenges you may face is budgeting for the event. Wit...
Read More5 Tips to Make Your Production Better Today
As creatives, we're always on a journey to make the things we're working on better. God is glorified when we use our gifts, talents, and skills to reflect his glory and declare his goodness. In today's creative landscape, however, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of improving. The connectedness that the internet affords us gives us access to countless massive churches and creative ...
Read MoreHow To Schedule Your Week as a Senior Pastor
As a senior pastor, your work schedule is unlike most. While you might enjoy more flexibility in your calendar and diversity in your to-do’s than a typical 9-5 gig, you also face unique challenges and uncharacteristic demands. Creating a schedule that allows for deep productivity, meaningful pastoring, and sufficient rest is a puzzle that takes trial and error to figure out. While everyone is di...
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